X7 Wireless Frequently Asked Question

• What are the differences between the original X7 and the new X7 USB?
• How does the StenoCast X7 work, and how does it benefit me as a reporter?
• Does the StenoCast X7 work with all computer operating systems?
• Will the StenoCast X7 work with LiveNote, Binder, Transcript Manager Pro, Bridge, Visionary and Summation litigation-support software?
• What are the main benefits to the reporter for going wireless?
• If the judge and/or attorneys have built-in Bluetooth in their computer, do they still need to use the StenoCast Ez Receiver?
• Can some clients be set up to receive the realtime wirelessly and others via cable?
• How do you handle jobs with more than seven realtime connections?
• If an attorney joins the proceedings late, will they receive the entire realtime transmission?

Q1. What are the differences between the original X7 and the new X7 USB?
A1. The new X7 is a USB device. You no longer need to use AC power. The new X7 draws its power from the computer's USB port. In the event you choose to use your serial port, you may also plug into the X7's serial port. If you connect via the serial port, you would then use the AC adapter (provided) for power.

The new X7 also has an LCD screen, which displays useful connection information.

A new feature to the X7 is what is called Test Mode. Test Mode allows the X7 to transmit a wireless signal without the court reporter hitting strokes on their steno machine. Simply plug the X7 into the Court Reporter's computer, and the X7 will send a wireless signal to the judge and/or attorneys automatically. This allows for the judge and/or attorneys to check their wireless connection without the assistance of the Court Reporter. Once the Court Reporter begins to write on their steno machine, the Test Mode feature turns off.

Q2. How does the StenoCast X7 work, and how does it benefit me as a reporter?
A2. The StenoCast X7 simply plugs into your (the reporter) computer's USB port and wirelessly allows up to seven clients to connect to your realtime feed. Clients connect using our wireless USB Ez Receiver. The Ez Receivers are paired to the X7, and the wireless realtime feed is available only to the clients utilizing the Ez Receivers paired to that particular X7 unit.

Q3. Does the StenoCast X7 work with all computer operating systems?
A3. Almost all. The StenoCast X1 & X7 requires Windows 95 or newer.

Q4. Will the StenoCast X7 work with LiveNote, Binder, Transcript Manager Pro, Bridge, Visionary and Summation litigation-support software?
A4. Yes. StenoCast X7 works with most, if not all, litigation-support software.

Q5. What are the main benefits to the reporter for going wireless?
A5.  The benefits to the reporter are many: 

• First, you no longer need to carry the cumbersome cables to each job location.  You no longer need to budget all the extra time for setup before the hearing and breakdown afterwards.
• Your clients no longer need to be within a cable's length of your computer. As a matter of fact, they don't even have to be in the same room. As long as your client's computer is within *100 meters of the X7, they will receive your realtime feed.
• Almost all reporters have had, or almost had, a disaster with someone (or possibly even yourself) tripping over the many cables draped around the reporter's work area. Those days are gone forever.
• Serial cables are notoriously unreliable: Either the connectors break or the cables themselves have been stepped on one time too many. In any event, the connection isn't there, which requires addition trouble-shooting and ultimately cable replacement.

Q6. If the judge and/or attorneys have built-in Bluetooth in their computer, do they still need to use the StenoCast Ez Receiver?
A6. Yes. Although the StenoCast Wireless System is built on a Bluetooth platform, the actual X7 and Ez Receivers are proprietary. The reason for that is we wanted to develop a closed system that not only is reliable, but also secure. The Ez Receivers are specifically paired to the X7, password protected and encrypted. The transmission is set to non-discovery mode so the wireless transmission is not visible to others.

Q7. Can some clients be set up to receive the realtime wirelessly and others via cable?
A7. Yes. You may connect your X7 into an available USB port on the Court Reporter's computer, and you may connect a multi-line block into the serial port on the Court Reporter's computer. You may transmit your wireless realtime to up to seven clients via the X7, and you may then plug in serial cables into the multi-line block. Up to seven clients can receive the wireless realtime in that fashion, concurrently with the clients receiving the realtime via serial cable.

Q8. How do you handle jobs with more than seven realtime connections?
A8. The simplest way is to connect a powered USB hub into the Court Reporter's computer. You can then plug multiple X7's into that USB hub. Each X7 would then provide up to seven wireless realtime connections. An alternative method is discussed in question seven (above).

Q9. If an attorney joins the proceedings late, will they receive the entire realtime transmission?
A9. No. They will receive the realtime from the time their wireless connection is made.